Simon Bains
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simonjbains.bsky.social
Simon Bains
@simonjbains.bsky.social
1.1K followers 810 following 210 posts
University Librarian, University of Aberdeen
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/simon.bains
Open research, digital preservation, library spaces, running.
REF2029 People Culture & Environment pilot panel member
Views my own, and often of nice sunrises/sunsets
Posts Replies Media Videos
simonjbains.bsky.social
At the #TallShips event in #Aberdeen, where the weather could be better but we are all making the best of it, especially the seagulls.
Seagull flying dangerously close towards the camera man with food stalls in the background. A seagull standing next to a Donuts sign. One of the tall ships. The entrance to the event, with a large ‘Ahoy! Welcome’ sign.
July 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Last week @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social hosted @scurlscottish.bsky.social #SCURL2025 in @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social - I've never seen a happier group of conference delegates!
Group shot of the SCURL 2025 audience in the Craig Suite,The Sir Duncan Rice Library. SCURL 20205 Delegates clearly enjoying themselves! Photo shows two people laughing and some smiling faces in the background.
June 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Heading to Dundee to join a panel with @scurlscottish.bsky.social colleagues at #cilips25. I never tire of the view along the Scottish east coast, though many folk clearly aren’t ready for Monday morning and are napping with their window blinds down.
@cilipscotland.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social
The view from the east coast train line at Montrose.
June 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
The view from @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social this afternoon during a short shower. At least one of the ends appeared to be on campus. Goodness knows we could do with a pot of gold just now.
A double rainbow over the University of Aberdeen, looking to the east towards the coast, as seen from Floor 7 of The Sir Duncan Rice Library.
May 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Change of scenery and sector for me today, as I get trained in how to be a scottishlibraries.org public library peer assessor, here at the AK Bell Library in Perth.
Simon standing outside the AK Bell Library
April 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Just found time to put it on ☺️
Iona Fyfe CD sleeve (“Away from my window” album) next to CD player playing said CD.
April 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
I see Tesco is using apostrophes to reinforce its status as a serious grocer.
The label attached to a bag of purple sprouting broccoli that suggests adding it to ‘stir fry’s’.
April 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
The sky is gorgeously blue in Aberdeen this morning, though I’ll just have to imagine the warm temperatures being forecast elsewhere. Felt almost autumnal first thing.
St Machar Cathedral in the sunrise. Daffodils in Seaton Park Cherry blossom with the river in the background. The Sir Duncan Rice Library basking in the sun, with a clear blue sky behind.
April 1, 2025 at 7:40 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
It’s day three of #RLUK25. Anticipating our levels of fatigue at this point, these were on offer at the break to keep us all focused.
Pineapple, lime and chia seed energy balls on a table overlooking the view of Liverpool from the RLUK conference breakout space.
March 21, 2025 at 11:25 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Reflecting on how the #RLUK25 conference venue is the giraffe taller cousin of the @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social zebra-like Sir Duncan Rice Library (and how both Aberdeen and Liverpool have an endlessly sunny climate…)
Spaces at the Spine, Liverpool, against a blue sky. The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Aberdeen, against a blue sky.
March 20, 2025 at 1:23 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
This doodle from St Andrews attracted some knowing laughter from an audience very familiar with well-meaning donors.
Fascinating to hear experiments with AI to assess donations, with mixed success. #RLUK25
A doodle of a happy donor offering the library some donated books.
March 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
In Liverpool for #RLUK25 this week, and had time this morning to enjoy the sights in the sunshine. Only one of these fab five is a conference delegate.
Simon posing in running gear alongside the Beatles statues at Pier Head in Liverpool.
March 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
If participation in the sabbatical officer elections is low this year, it won’t be for want of trying by @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social Students Union…
The University Librarian poses with a bull in a football strip (think football team mascot, but in a library setting…). Behind the costume is a students union sabbatical officer leafleting students to encourage them to vote.
March 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
A glorious morning @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social with @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social bathed in orange.
The Sir Duncan Rice Library in front of an orange and grey sky.
February 4, 2025 at 8:09 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
I’ve only just discovered this recent sad news. I can’t think of anyone else who has made management and leadership so readable. His books have come with me to all my workplaces.
Copies of two books by Charles Handy on my table in my office.
February 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
It was a delight and a relief to be back in the building today after three days of closure, and to be greeted by this sunrise! 🌅
The Sir Duncan Rice Library against a gradually lightening blue and orange sky. An orange glow on the horizon as seen from floor 7 of The Sir Duncan Rice Library.
January 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Looking forward to ‘dot watching’ those amazing people doing the brutal 268 mile winter #spinerace starting this Sunday.
And I’ll be disappointed if these two aren’t supporting each other along the way…
A partial list of male competitors for the winter 2025 Spine Race, with two runners ringed. One has the first name ‘Sam’ (UK entrant) and the other ‘Frodo’ (German entrant).
January 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
My first @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social of 2025. An impressive sunrise, though it was wise to look mainly at the ground when walking in this morning. ❄️⛸️
An early morning view of The Sir Duncan Rice Library, surrounded by a mixture of red clouds and clear sky, with a white snow covered playing field in front.
January 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
It’s not always glorious here, but it _is_ atmospheric when it’s like this. As long as you’re not in it. Cold, wet, and a bit wild out there.
The sunset looking out from The Sir Duncan Rice Library. The focus is on the rain against the window, with a bright yellow sunset, surrounded by a grey sky, on the horizon.
December 19, 2024 at 3:06 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
This afternoon’s @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social sunset comes with added seagull at no extra charge.
The sunset across Aberdeen as viewed from the top floor of The Sir Duncan Rice Library. The city is in silhouette, with the sky ablaze with yellow and orange, with streaky and fluffy pink, grey and white clouds. A seagull is silhouetted against a cloud in the top left corner as it flies from right to left.
December 13, 2024 at 3:34 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
In my spare time I act as the @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social tourist board 😉 Another beautiful morning here.
The Sir Duncan Rice Library, with an orange glow behind it. Looking across campus from the top floor of The Sir Duncan Rice Library. An orange glow on the horizon. Looking across to the coast from the top floor of The Sir Duncan Rice Library. The sun is a bright yellow orb surrounded by blue sky and small white clouds. Blue sky and small white clouds over the city as viewed from the top floor of The Sir Duncan Rice Library.
December 12, 2024 at 9:19 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
How’s your sunset over there, @rgulibrary.bsky.social ?
It’s looking pretty darn impressive over here 🌅
Looking towards The Sir Duncan Rice Library at sunset, with the sculpture and plaza lights in the foreground. View from the top floor of The Sir Duncan Rice Library at sunset, with an orange, yellow and purple sky over a silhouette of the city skyline.
December 10, 2024 at 4:08 PM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Delighted to say that my tree is upright 😂 Or it was when I left this morning anyway… 🤞
A decorated Christmas tree in place in a living room.
December 9, 2024 at 11:11 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
This is a shame. I was due to be a volunteer timekeeper today, and was kinda looking forward to the challenge! 🌧️💨⏱️
Aberdeen Parkrun announcement on Facebook that the event has been cancelled today due to flooding.
December 7, 2024 at 8:15 AM
simonjbains.bsky.social
Today’s blue sky on BlueSky good morning message from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social is of the outside of my Library. It’s turning into another lovely day here.
A view of The Sir Duncan Rice Library as the sun rises behind it.
December 5, 2024 at 9:47 AM